Otto von Ballpark

Actually, I suspect this may have been a contributing factor. The Twins needed to create something new to maximize revenue right now. Of course, thinking about maximizing revenue when you've slashed payroll and the team generally sucks is probably not the best move in the world either, which is probably why it got pulled.

Also, looking back at game logs, Correia has only completed 8 innings 4 times in 161 MLB starts. He's done it while leading by 8, leading by 4, trailing 2-0 to Felix Hernandez, and losing 1-0 way back in 2005.

So how did Gardy's decision Monday turn out in the longer view of the whole series? I think Gardy was thinking, "my starters haven't been getting past the fifth or sixth at best, except for Correia, and I used my bullpen a lot against Detroit and Baltimore, so I want to squeeze Correia as long as possible and give my bullpen a break today." Problem is, squeezing a guy like Correia as long as possible, starting the fourth time through the batting order in a 1-run game on the road is almost certainly going to wind up in a loss and/or a much longer game (if they tie and it goes into extra innings). The Twins only had 3 offensive outs left, and the Royals were guaranteed the last at-bat. Not only that, the Royals had their full bullpen available as Ervin Santana had already completed 8 innings (maybe influencing Gardy's decision to push Correia to do the same?) and the Twins had batters 6-7-8 due up in the 9th. And what was the result? The normal 8th inning guy who would have been saved by an extra inning from Correia (Burton) had to get up quickly and pitch anyway, although we were already behind by the time he was ready. Because we fell behind and lost, Perkins wasn't needed for the ninth, so I guess that's a silver lining. But neither guy was needed in the next two games of the series, which was followed by an off-day today (Thursday). So our bullpen aces, Perkins and Burton, have plenty of rest now (3-4 days). But after that initial activity against Detroit and Baltimore, it appears they've actually been used less overall than comparable relief aces on most other teams, and I think our record has 1 win less to show for it.

I thought I read that it was mostly a myth that middle infielders (particularly 2B) burn out earlier? Certainly there are some high-profile examples, but actually examining players in the aggregate, I think all players tend to fade around that same age. I think it was suggested that since there are fewer middle infielders than corner players by definition (2 vs. 4-5 if you count the DH), there are fewer late-30's success stories at those positions in an absolute sense, but relatively they're about the same. Also, perhaps some middle infielders even in their peak don't hit well enough to survive a move to a corner position or DH when their defense declines.

My bad then. I misinterpreted this post as Chargois being among the conversions: http://twinsdaily.com/twins-minor-league-talk/5891-kernels-no-hit-beloit-duffey-throws-7-perfect.html#post97249 The Twins haven't helped in this matter, drafting all of these relievers and then converting some to starting is very confusing.

I read around here in regards to Tyler Duffey, that both he and Chargois were being converted to starters. I guess he's just a little less ready than Duffey for some reason?

Looks like Hendricks has only had 2-3 pretty good MLB starts anyway -- it may easily be a fluke that Mauer has been the catcher for those. He's also caught some of the duds.

I don't remember the last time the Twins made their batting practice viewable for fans. I used to go to the Dome when the gates opened 2001-2009, but I remember only seeing visiting team BP. (Maybe the very end of Twins BP too on weekend games? Don't recall) It would be a neat perk, but charging for it is going to invite the "professional" collectors. I think it would be better to open it up for free for season ticket holders, for school groups or other groups, or just for kids and their parents. (At least make the "pro" ball collectors round up a kid to bring along.) Do it on Sundays only if you want, as part of kids day. Otherwise, it comes off as a bit of money-grubbing ($15 extra just for a chance at a home team BP HR ball?) and part of a trend. Moving to Target Field meant fewer seats at higher prices. Then the Twins discontinued their weekly over-the-air TV broadcasts. Promotional giveaways and ticket perks have been reduced. I love Twins baseball, but the business side of it has "modernized" really quickly the last few years, to the detriment of certain groups of fans, even if it's helped bring the major league payroll up.

What about all the job overtures to Tubby while he was here? The ones he used to leverage a contract extension and more guaranteed money from panicked ADs despite never really accomplishing anything? I could see us entering a similar situation with Pitino. It kind of sucks for a school at the U of M level, basically it's impossible to keep a coach in a good program. Unless you're willing to "settle" a bit on the right coach in exchange for some stability (a la Glen Mason, whose tenure may go down as a sort of modern "golden era" for U of M coaching). I don't get the sense that Pitino is that guy.

Ryan said Rich Harden, trying to come back from shoulder surgery, will begin pitching to hitters in Twins camp “in about 10 days,” and lefthander Rafael Perez might throw before that. Swarzak makes pain-free debut | StarTribune.com

Probably because he's a switch-hitter. They've got a lot of lefties to break up in that lineup. Although Brantley certainly does not look like a middle-of-the-order bat. Kipnis may not be either.

What are the odds that Pitino leaves the U after his first taste of success? Or earlier? He bailed on FIU after year 1 of his 6-year contract there. Although it's less likely he will see as big of a pay raise in the near future, so any move would primarily be based on prestige.

He's pretty expensive too ($7 mil this year, possible $7 million vesting option for 2014 or a $2 mil buyout). If the Rockies were willing to eat most of that salary in return for a mediocre PTBNL, almost any team would be interested, including the Twins. But we don't really need him right now anyway. (Earlier in the offseason would have been a different story.) It is weird that the Rockies traded for him, only to turn around and try to trade him again immediately. I suspect they think they have a decent market for him, whereas the Dodgers had to act fast due to roster considerations. Will be interesting to see where he ends up, and for how much.

Twins FANS bitched about Bartlett? Not buying that. There was a metric ton of fan bitching when Castro won the job over Bartlett in 2006. And a fair amount of complaint from stat-minded fans when Bartlett was traded after 2007 without a ready replacement. (Still perhaps Bill Smith's worst move of many: casting aside two useful players who were in Gardy's doghouse.) And the Hardy acquisition was almost universally loved by Twins fans, even if he didn't set the world on fire in his time with the team. Many fans also didn't like trading him a year later, although that was more because the return was so little (Jim Hoey?) when it should have been doubting the Twins' Japanese scouting acumen. By your standards, "Twins fans" have bitched about every single player ever. It's not a terribly useful definition. Bartlett and Hardy were not bitched about by any kind of consensus of Twins fans, not by a long shot.

This is somewhat misleading, as Punto and Carroll both had arguably their absolute worst MiLB seasons at age 23. Escobar's age-22 season you use for comparison was almost exactly in line with his career averages to date. But even then, look at those OBPs -- Punto and Carroll, in arguably their worst seasons, were still getting on base better than Escobar. (Florimon is not much better than Escobar in that regard either.) Not only that, but take a look at their strikeout numbers. Carroll and Punto did not strike out much, and both had seasons where they walked more than they struck out -- Carroll did so consistently, Punto was always close (aside from that age-23 season, when his K rate spiked). Florimon and Escobar have terrible K/BB rates. Can they develop into decent MLB hitters despite this? Sure, but I wouldn't bet on it. Escobar's chances are better than Florimon's, but that's almost entirely due to his younger age, rather than anything specific in his performance to date. (Hopefully Danny Santana can keep developing offensively; otherwise, his offensive profile right now looks very similar to Florimon and Escobar at the same ages...)

Given accepted bullpen structure these days, it is defensible to test Robertson in that spot. Gardy will probably think twice before using Duensing so early in the future, though. I would love to start seeing Perkins in multi-inning saves, though. The guy has a starter's pedigree and could really be an elite reliever if he could pull that off. And it would be a big help on a team with a lot of shakiness and inexperience elsewhere on the pitching staff.

Punto and Carroll were OBP machines in the minors, and that is where their MLB offensive value has been too. I hate to be a Debbie downer, but Florimon and Escobar have not offered anything offensively in extensive minor league careers. They pretty much have to be elite defensively or they will be below average in the majors.

Please do not advocate turning up any speakers. Many sections are already virtually uninhabitable due to insane, constant speaker volume. Remember, it is not just the PA announcer, it is the music they play constantly whenever the PA announcer isn't talking. If you have trouble hearing it in one section, just find another, it shouldn't be hard this year. But please don't take away any relatively quiet refuge sections.

OK, I know you just wanted to make fun of Hawk and Hudler... but I believe MLB.tv has alternate audio feeds, including radio feeds and even an ambient stadium noise feed on the home broadcast (no announcers at all). I think you have to install the "NexDef" plugin to select these, though, so you'd have to be watching on a computer rather than a mobile device.

Just tried to compare minor league stats for Florimon and Escobar, and my goodness they are similar. Escobar's two years younger, Florimon's been at bit better at taking a walk, but otherwise they seem virtually identical with the bat and on the bases.

Actually, this was Tito Francona, Terry's dad.

Offense has definitely been suppressed these first two games, probably due in no small part to the cold and wind. Escobar's hit was easily the longest of the day, I think. A little hard to judge pitchers under these circumstances, but they got the job done.

You can do it on your phone if you have an actual FM tuner -- that's what I've been doing lately on my new Android phone. You can't do it through "internet radio" on your phone or computer unless you pay for Gameday Audio or find an affiliate who's not blocking the game. Look here, and if you don't find a working Twins station, you may find one working for the Twins opponent (it's actually kind of interesting to listen to the other team's broadcast anyway): FreeBaseballRadio.com MLB Teams and Standings

They are definitely on 96.3, but they block it online because they want you to buy MLB Gameday Audio. You can usually find a free online broadcast from an affiliate, though, if you are intrepid enough (Google free baseball radio). Also,the 96.3 signal may not be the greatest, particularly in the east metro I hear. You may be hearing a different station around that same frequency, and maybe you are hearing one of the affiliates on AM. Look up the Twins affiliate list to see what is close to you.

I'm torn on this. First outing of the year, up 7 runs, yeah, it doesn't seem like it's worth it to push him. But on the other hand, is it really "pushing" him? 111 pitches yesterday and he was absolutely cruising -- not a ball hit out of the infield since the 5th inning. Last year, he averaged 109 pitches and 6.6 innings per start -- this one was pretty clearly less stressful than his average outing last year. And in his first start of 2012 (MLB debut), Darvish went 110 pitches but couldn't finish the 6th -- that was almost certainly a more stressful outing than this one, yet he was "allowed" to throw almost the exact same number of pitches in both. (Interesting that despite being somewhat of a workhorse on a team that likes those kinds of pitchers, Darvish did not throw any complete games last year.) The first start of the year thing is the only thing that would give me pause. Although if I were running the show, I'd probably ramp up my starters a bit more in advance of their season debut (memories back to 2004 when the Indians pulled Sabathia after 7 shutout innings leading 4-0, only to see the Twins rally to win against the Cleveland bullpen).